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Acer TravelMate ProFile 6292 business laptop

Acer's... um... ace up its sleeve?

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When it comes to performance, Windows Vista pegs the 6292's Windows Experience Index (WEI) at 3.4 out of 5.9. The overall WEI is determined by the lowest scoring category - in this case graphics. Gaming graphics was also low - just 3.5 - while hard disk and memory scored 4.4 and 4.8, respectively. The processor racked up the highest component score, managing 5.1.

Running the laptop through the PCMark05 benchmark suite resulted in a decent score of 4,069 but when it comes to 3D performance, the numbers aren't as great. It only managed to attain a paltry 551 in 3DMark06 which isn't really going to give you sufficient oomph for decent gaming. However, the 6292 is aimed more at the business market than the consumers, so it's less of a problem. And that's integrated graphics for you.

The keyboard feels a little bouncy to type on at first, but it's pleasant enough once you get used to it. Like the screen, though, it does feel like it could have been made a little bit bigger, with wasted space down the sides that could have been put to use for slightly bigger keys or a less cramped layout - or even a smaller laptop, if Acer really wanted to push the ultra-portable line. For example, the five quick-launch buttons down the right-hand side of the keyboard would no doubt be better housed along the strip at the top where the power and Empowering Technology buttons are.

The Empowering Technology key activates a sort of Apple Mac OS X Dashboard view, which dims the main screen and shows you foating widgets that let you perform tasks such as change your power settings or Wi-Fi options.

The touchpad sits below the keyboards and in between the left and right click buttons you'll find a fingerprint reader, which you can use for various security features which would normally require a password.

On the panel on the front edge of the machine there are headphone, line-in and microphone ports, along with a four-pin Firewire connector. The front panel also houses an infrared port, a technology long forgotten on most new models. Bluetooth 2.0 is also included for those after more modern wireless technology.